Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2022 |
Timetable | Wednesday 14th of December at 19:00 GMT |
Prediction | France to Win! |
Odds | France to Win @ 1.57 |
Bookmaker | Palm Slots Sports |
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While many expected Argentina and defending champions France to reach the last four of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, few would have bet on them meeting Croatia and Morocco respectively in the semi-finals.
The clash between France and Morocco kicks off on Wednesday, 14th December at 19:00 GMT, while it will also take place at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
Of course, FIFA World Cup Betting favourites France are widely predicted to prevail here, but Morocco have already made history by becoming the first ever African semi-finalists while eliminating UEFA heavyweights Spain and Portugal in the process.
Regardless, this match is likely to be closer than the bookies’ odds suggest, so let’s take a closer look at how the game is likely to pan out.
💯 France vs Morocco Betting Odds
Our bookies have already published their France vs Morocco odds, across a wide range of betting markets including match wagering, both sides to score and the over/under market for total goals scored in the game. Here’s a glimpse at the very latest prices!
🏅 France vs Morocco Odds : Match Winner
Backing the match winner is the most popular market among our recommended betting sites, so here’s a closer look at the real-time France vs Morocco odds.
France to Win | 1.56 | 1.57 | 1.58 | 1.53 | 1.50 | 1.53 | 1.53 |
Morocco to Win | 6.92 | 7.25 | 7.00 | 7.50 | 6.50 | 7.00 | 7.50 |
Draw | 3.94 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 3.75 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 3.70 |
⚽ France vs Morocco Odds : Both Teams to Score
You can also bet on whether you think both sides will score (or not) when France take on Morocco in the WC semi-final. Here’s a selection of the best real-time odds from our sportsbooks!
Yes | 2.39 | 2.23 | 2.43 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 2.30 | 2.38 |
No | 1.59 | 1.55 | 1.58 | 1.60 | 1.62 | 1.57 | 1.53 |
🥅 France vs Morocco Odds : Over/Under 2.5 Goals
We’ll close with the over/under market for total goals scored, with the most popular threshold set at 2.5 goals (there have been 158 goals scored in the 60 matches played so far at a rate of 2.63 per game). Here’s a snapshot of the latest over/under 2.5 goals odds.
Over 2.5 Goals | 2.28 | 2.23 | 2.40 | 2.15 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.25 |
Under 2.5 Goals | 1.66 | 1.56 | 1.58 | 1.62 | 1.62 | 1.57 | 1.60 |
🏠 France Preview
It’s fair to say that France haven’t been at their best so far in Qatar, although this shouldn’t be surprising given the absence through injury of stars such as Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Christopher Nkunku (left back Lucas Hernandez also incurred a long-term knee injury at the beginning of the tournament during the 4-1 win over Australia).
Despite this, they’ve ground out some impressive results in the Middle East, including a 2-1 win over UEFA rivals Denmark (which featured a Kylian Mbappe brace and secured qualification for the round of 16 from Group D).
While France’s second-string side lost their final group stage match 1-0 against Tunisia, Les Bleus subsequently defeated Poland 3-1 in the second-round thanks a cool finish from Oliver Giroud and two superb finishes from Mbappe (who became the youngest player ever to score nine World Cup finals’ goals in the process).
Then came a heavyweight quarterfinal clash against England, where Les Bleus often found themselves under concerted pressure after Aurélien Tchouaméni’s low strike from distances opened the scoring. The nation’s big game pedigree ultimately shone through after Harry Kane’s equaliser from the penalty spot, however, with Giroud bulleting home a superb header with 13 minutes remaining to secure a hard-fought 2-1 win.
📰 Latest France World Cup News
Tweets by FrenchTeam☍ Morocco Preview
Unlike their more established rivals, Morocco are so far unbeaten in the 2022 World Cup finals, while they’ve yet to concede a goal from open play despite taking on Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal in Qatar.
They’ve also upset the odds throughout the tournament, having initially held fellow semi-finalists and 2018 runners-up Croatia to a goalless draw in their opening Group F match. Then came a stunning 2-0 win over Belgium (which virtually eliminated the Red Devils and their ‘golden generation’), before Morocco secured qualification and top spot in the group with a 2-1 win over Canada (who remain the only side to breach the Atlas Lions’ defence so far).
The round of 16 pitted Morocco against UEFA giants Spain, who had slumped to second in Group E following a shock defeat to Japan. Despite being heavy underdogs, they were defensively resolute and compact in holding a toothless Spanish side to a 0-0 draw after extra-time, before goalkeeper Bono produced two superb saves as the Atlas Lions won the subsequent shootout 3-0.
Incredibly, Morocco didn’t even need extra-time to defeat Portugal in their quarter final clash, with a superb, bullet header by Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri securing an historic, 1-0 win.
📰 Latest Morocco World Cup News
Tweets by EnMaroc🟨 The Latest Injury News and Suspensions
Given the extensive injury issues that plagued France in the build-up to the tournament, it’s interesting to note that they could announce an unchanged side for the third successive World Cup game against Morocco.
They certainly didn’t appear to pick up any fresh injury concerns during their quarterfinal win over England, while Didier Deschamps’ men have also avoided any suspensions ahead of the semi-final clash.
In fact, only left back Lucas Hernandez remains sidelined from Les Bleus’ 26-man WC finals squad, with his brother Theo having filled in superbly during the tournament so far.
The same cannot be said for Morocco, however, with the Atlas Lions facing a defensive crisis as they look to continue their record-breaking run. After all, skipper and commanding centre back Romain Saiss was stretchered off against Portugal, while his partner Nayef Aguerd and fullback Noussair Mazraoui both missed the quarterfinal clash and remain serious injury doubts.
The good news is that Jawad El Yamiq and Badr Benoun both performed with distinction at centre back when called upon against the Portuguese, although their relative lack of international experience (they have just 21 caps between them) could prove problematic against the French.
Moroccan forward Walid Cheddira is also suspended after being dismissed late on against Portugal, with the Bari striker receiving two yellow cards in the space of just 60 seconds in stoppage time.
🏆 Key Matchups
Morocco have made this far in part to their incredible collective organisation and intensity, but their success has also been underpinned by some superb individual performances.
Make no mistake; the clash with France will also be decided by a number of key individual duals, and we’ll take a closer look at three of these below.
Dayot Upamecano vs Youssef En-Nesyri
With PSG centre back Presnel Kimpembe one of several French absentees during the World Cup, Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano has stepped into the defensive line.
He’s also played the role of aggressive enforcer alongside the silky and experienced Raphael Varane, often stepping out to tackle forwards as they receive the ball or make proactive interceptions.
However, he has also looked rash and aggressive in his forward movements at times, giving away careless free kicks in dangerous areas and allowing himself to be turned by his opponents.
Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri will certainly look to exploit this, with his exceptional strength and touch capable of drawing Upamecano in and spinning in behind him. France will need to be wary of this, especially with Morocco likely to play on the counterattack in a bid to expose their opponent’s high defensive line.
Kylian Mbappe vs Achraf Hakimi
While PSG’s marauding right back Achraf Hakimi may be best known in this tournament for his decisive ‘Panenka’ in the shootout win against Spain, he’s played superbly throughout the finals and provided a consistent presence both in the defensive and attacking thirds.
However, his aggressive and relentless forward runs down the right may be at a premium against the French, with Hakimi tasked with marking Kylian Mbappe and preventing the tournament’s top scorer from adding to his tally in Al Khor.
Of course, Hakimi will need help when Mbappe drives inside, but Morocco’s compact and well-organised 4-3-3 shape should provide cover in this respect. A bigger issue will be the impact that Mbappe has on Hakimi’s attacking output, with the right back one of the key outlets for Morocco in the tournament so far.
If Hakimi is driven back consistently, this will also invite left back Theo Hernandez forward and potentially make it easier for France to dominate the game.
Theo Hernandez vs Hakim Ziyech
On the subject of Hernandez, the full back may have his hands full with Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech, who will play a key role as his side looks to transition between defence and attack.
More specifically, he’ll look to track Hernandez when he drives forward and help provide cover for Hakimi, while hoping to use his pace and trickery to get in behind the French defence when Morocco counterattack.
Ziyech will have to get this defensive duties and positioning right, particularly with Morocco likely to spend much of their time behind the ball.
However, his ability to get in behind Hernandez and commit him in the tackle will prove key if the Atlas Lions are to sustain attacks, just as they have done in their surprise wins over Spain and Portugal.
⚡ France vs Morocco – The Head-to-Head Statistics
Like Tunisia and similar North African territories, Morocco was formally a part of France until March 2nd 1956, when it gained its independence as a nation state.
The newly formed Moroccan national team subsequently played France for the first time in April 1963, winning 2-1 in Casablanca before drawing 2-2 at the Parc De Lescure nearly three years later. Interestingly, the 1963 win is the only time that Morocco have beaten the French in 11 attempts, with Les Bleus winning seven times and three matches ending in draws.
Morocco have actually lost seven of their last nine meetings and five in six since September 1987, with the Atlas Lions thrashed 5-1 by the 1998 World Cup winners in January 1999 (Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka were among the goals in Casablanca).
However, Morocco will find solace from the fact that they drew the last meeting between the sides in November 2007, when an entertaining match at a packed Stade de France ended 2-2.
🥇 France vs Morocco Prediction - Who Will Win?
There’s no doubt that Morocco have excelled in Qatar and enthralled their passionate support, while making history by becoming the first ever African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
France will also be particularly mindful of the threat posed by the Atlas Lions, with the North African sides’ tenacity and defensive organisation reminiscent of the Greek side that beat Les Bleus in the Euro 2004 semi-finals before going on to win the tournament and deliver a seismic shock.
However, this French side is a different animal and packed full of big game players, while their ability to win and provide a constant goal threat without playing well will stand them in good stead in Al Khor. Morocco could also be missing three of their preferred four-man defensive line when they play France, making them potentially vulnerable to players like Mbappe, Giroud and the creative Antoine Griezmann.
What’s more, it’s possible that the raw emotion and intense effort showcased by the Moroccans so far could catch up with them at some point, and we’re backing a comfortable French win here.
Our France vs Morocco match prediction: France to win 3-0.
🔍 Our France vs Morocco Betting Tips?
While we expect the French to win at the Al Bayt Stadium, there’s little value in backing Les Bleus to win given their average starting price of 1.57.
Of course, you could apply a -1.5 or -2.5-goal handicap to lengthen the odds of a France win, but despite our prediction, this is undeniably risky given how defensively compact Morocco have been so far in Qatar.
A much safer market is backing both sides not to score, with Morocco having struck just once during the knockout stages and France boasting a relatively secure (if not watertight) defence.
You can get on this market at a current price of 1.62 with Betvictor. Remember to check out the latestfootball betting odds before wagering your hard-earned cash.
Consider both teams not to score at 1.62 with Betvictor.
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✒️ Lewis Humphries - Sports Journalist, Tipster and Betting Expert
This France vs Morocco 2022 WC Prediction was written by Lewis Humphries. Lewis is a business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and online casino gaming. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms, while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands.
His content has also featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.
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